Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who just lately competed within the Paris Olympics, tragically handed away after being set on fireplace by a former boyfriend. The 33-year-old athlete succumbed to extreme burns following Sunday’s assault close to her house in north-west Kenya, the place she lived and educated.
Authorities revealed that Cheptegei was attacked after coming back from church along with her two daughters. The previous couple had reportedly been arguing over land, which can have led to the deadly confrontation. Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, expressed grief, describing his daughter as a “very supportive” member of the family and the family’s breadwinner. He referred to as on the Kenyan authorities to make sure justice is served.
Cheptegei was well-known for her generosity inside the athletic neighborhood. Fellow Ugandan runner James Kirwa shared how she helped others financially and gifted coaching footwear to her friends. Uganda’s Athletics Federation and different distinguished athletes condemned the assault, emphasizing the continuing concern of gender-based violence within the area.
Cheptegei’s demise follows comparable circumstances involving East African athletes, together with Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, each of whom had been murdered in home violence incidents. Kenyan athlete Joan Chelimo, who advocates towards such violence, famous the continued rise of those tragic occasions regardless of efforts to boost consciousness.
Rebecca Cheptegei, who gained gold on the 2022 World Mountain and Path Working Championships, leaves behind two younger kids. Authorities proceed to analyze the case, along with her ex-boyfriend presently in intensive care after struggling much less extreme burns through the incident.